DUI Checkpoints

The West Virginia state police office in Parkersburg is planning a weekend DUI checkpoint.

It will begin this Friday around 8 p.m. and last until 4 a.m. Saturday morning.

Authorities say checkpoints allow them to check more vehicles at once for intoxicated drivers.

Sgt. G.L. Brown of the WV State Police-Parkersburg says, "According to what traffic it is, we could stop every vehicle on the road, determine not as heavy, not coming as regularly, may check every third car."

In addition to checking DUI’s, Sgt. Brown says troopers will also check for other traffic violation.

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Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Legal drinking age in the United States is 21.

Forty-six states have "Zero Tolerance Laws" for underage drinking and driving meaning that drivers under 21 years of age are considered to be legally intoxicated with a much lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that drivers who are 21 or older.

BAC varies from 0.00 to 0.02 depending on the state.

For drivers 21 and over, the BAC is 0.08.

If charged with a DUI, the offender can have their license suspended for 90 days to 1 year, and pay fines of up to $1,000.

Fines and jail time can increase significantly if you injure someone or cause major damage.

Second and subsequent offenses may be dramatically more severe.

Affect on Insurance: If your license is suspended, your insurance company (preferred carrier) will drop you and your entire family.

If you get your license back, you are going to pay 40-60 percent higher rates.

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